Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus



Aug. 20, 1929. H. A. THOMPSQON ,113

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed May 24, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. I.

INVENTORZ H: 8,771 ompd a n,

Q Gael-W Aug. 1929. H. A. THOMPSON 1,725,113

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed May 24, 927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. H.771 brnpsan.

v era-M ML MW.

29 Fly. 2.

Patented Aug. 29, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD A. THOMPSON, OF EDGEWOOD BOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR- PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY-TRAFFIC-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Application filed May 24,

My invention relates to railway trallic controlling apparatus, and particularly to automatic signaling apparatus of the type involving light signals.

One feature of my invention is the provision of novel and improved means for giving a more restrictive indication when a less restrictive indication should be given and an electric lamp involved in the means for giving the less restrictive indication is burned out.

I will describe two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a diagrammatic view showing one form of apparatus embodying my invention, while l ig. 2 is a similar view showing a modified form of apparatus also embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the views.

Referring first to Fig. l, the reference characters 1 and 1 designate the track rails of a railway along which trailic normally moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. These rails are divided by insulated joints 2 into a plurality of blocks, A-B, BO, CD, etc. Each block is provided with a track circuit comprising a source of current located at the exit end and a track relay located at the entrance end. As here shown, the source of current for each track circuit is a transformer designated by the reference character E with an exponent corresponding to the location, the secondary of which is connected across the track rails, and the primary of which is constantly connected with terminals X and Z of a source of alternating current not shown in the drawing. The track relay for each section is designated by the reference character F with an exponent corresponding to the location, and comprises a track *inding 5 connected across the track rails and a local winding 6 which is connected with the terminals X and Z of the source of alternating current. Inasmuch as each block comprises only one track section, the track relay F for each block is ener ized or tie-energized according as the block is unoccupied or occupied, and, consequently the track relay for each block may be termed the home relay for the block.

Each block is provided with a distant re- 1927. Serial No. 193,793.

lay designated by the reference character K with an exponent corresponding to the location, and each block is also provided with a light-out relay designated by the reference character H with an exponent corresponding to the location.

Each distant relay K comprises a control w nding 7 and a local winding 8, the local winding being constantly supplied with alternating current from the terminals X and Z. Referring to relay K, for example, the circuit for the control winding 7 is from terminal X, through front contact 9 of relay H wire 10, contact 11 of track relay F wire 13, control winding 7 of relay K wire 14, contact 12 of track relay F wire 15 and front contact 16 of relay H to terminal Z. It will be seen, therefore, that relay K is de-energized whenever track relay F is deenergized. The contacts 9 and 16 of relay H constitute a pole-changer for supplying current of normal or reverse relative polari'ty to winding 7 of relay K according as relay H is energized or de-energized. Assuming that track relay F is energized, then when relay H is energized, currentof normal relative polarity is supplied to the control winding 7 of relay K. so that normal contact 2323 of this relay is closed; if relay, H is tie-energized, however, current of reverse relative polarity is supplied to Winding 7 of relay K so that the reverse contact 2Z323" of this relay is closed. I

Located adjacent the entrance end of each block is a light signal designated by the reference character S with an exponent corresponding to the location. Each of these signals comprises an upper group of lamps 3 and a lower group of lamps 4, the upper group having a green lamp G, a first yellow lamp Y a second yellow lamp Y and a red lamp R; and the lower group of lamps 4 having a green lamp G, a first red lamp R and a second red lamp R When both red lamps R and R are lighted, the signal indicates stop when the second yellow lamp Y of the upper group and the first red lamp R of the lower group are lighted, the signal indicates approach; when the first yellow lamp Y of the upper group and the green lamp Gr of the lower group are lighted, the signal indicates approach restricting when the green lamp G of the upper group and the second red lamp R of the lower group are lighted, the signal indicates proceed As shown in the drawing, the block immediately to the right of point D is occupied by a car or train represented by a pair of wheels and an axle so that track relay F is de-energized. Current, therefore, flows from terminal K through a back point of contact 17 of relay F and the primary of a transformer T to terminal Z. The secondary circuit for transformer T includes lamp R of the upper group 3 and lamp B of the lower group l, so that these two lamps are lighted and the signal indicates stop. Track relay F is energized, but distant relay K is de-energized, because the circuit for its control winding 7 is open at contacts 11 and 12 of track relay F. The circuit for light-out relay H which circuit is controlled by contact 23 of relay K as hereinafter explained, is open so that relay H is deenergized. Current therefore flows from terminal K, through the front point of contact 17 of relay F back contact 20 of relay H and the primary of transformer T to terminal Z. The secondary circuit for transformer T includes lamp Y of the upper group 3 and lamp R of the lower group 4, so that these two lamps are lighted and signal S therefore indicates preach Track relay F is energized, and distant relay K is energized in the reverse direction because track relay F is energized and light-outrelay H is de-energized. Current therefore flows from terminal Z, through front point of contact 17 of track relay F winding of light-out relay H reverse contact 23-23 of distant relay K and the primary of transformer T to terminal Z. The secondary circuit for transformer T includes lamp Y of the upper group 3 and lamp G of the lower group ll, so that signal S indicates approach restricting. Track relay E is energized, and distant relay K is energized in the normal direction because track relay F is energized and light-out relay H is energized. Current therefore flows from terminal K, through the front point of contact 17 of relay 1*, winding of light-out relay H normal contact 2323 of distant relay K and the primary of transformer T to terminal Z. The secondary circuit for transformer T includes lamp G of the upper group 3 and lamp R of the lower group 4:, so that these two lamps are lighted and signal S indicates proceed.

I will now assume that while track relay F is energized, and distant relay K is energized in the normal direction, so that signal S should indicate proceed, lamp G o the upper group 3 or lamp R of the lower group 4 burns out. The secondary circuit for transformer T will then be open, and so the primary circuit for this transformer will draw only the charging current for the transformer through the winding of light-out relay E. This relay is designed to become effectively energized when and only when sufficient energy is being drawn from transformer T to light the two lamps included in the secondary circuit of this transformer. Relay H will therefore open under the condition stated, so that the primary circuit for transformer T will become closed through thefront point of contact 17 of track relay F and back contact 20 of relay H. Signal S will then give the approach indication.

I will now assume that while track relay F is energized and distant relay K is energized in the reverse direction, so that signal S should give the approach restricting indication, one of the lamps included in the secondary circuit for transformer T burns out. Light-out relay H will then open, because the primary circuit for transformer T draws only its charging current, and this current is not sufficient to keep the relay H closed. The primary circuit for trail former T then becomes closed through the front point of contact 17 of relay F and back contact 20 of relay H so that signal S3 will give the approach indication. The opening of relay H will reverse the relative polarity of the current supplied to control winding 7 of relay K so that the latter relay will be energized in the reverse direction, with the result that signal S will indicate approach restricting instead of pro ceed.

It will be noted that the upper group of lamps for each signal includes two yellow lamps, and that the lower group includes two red lamps. This duplication of lamps simplifies the circuits and also provides another important feature, as follows: When a signal should give the approach restricting indication and the yellow lamp Y burns out, it is still possible to obtain the approach indication using the yellow lamp Y Similarly, when the signal should give the proceed indication and the red lamp R burns out, it is still possible to obtain the approach indication using yellow lamp Y and red lamp R If one red lamp alone were used in the lower group 4, it would, of course, be impossible to change from the proceed indication to the approach indication when this red lamp. is burned; out, and, similarly, if one yellow lamp alone were used in the upper group 3, it would, of course, be impossible to change from the approach restricting indication to the approach indication when this yellow lamp is burned out.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the apparatus shown in this view is similar to that shown in Fig. 1, except that each signal is provided with two light-out relays H and L, and the signal is controlled by these relays in such manner that the failure of a proceed indication lamp when the proceed indication should be given will result in the approach restricting indication, and the failure of an approach restricting indication lamp when the approach restricting indication should be given will result in the approach indication. As hereinafter explained, each distant relay K is cont-rolled by the light-out relays for the block next in advance in such manner that the distant relay is energized in the normal direction when either light-out relay is energized, but that the distant relay is energized in the reverse direction when both light-out relays are: de-energized.

As shown in the drawing, the block immediately to the right of point D is occupied by a car or train WV, so that track relay F D is de-energized, with the result that signal S indicates stop. Section CD is unoccupied so that track relay F is energized, but distant relay K is de-energized because the circuit for its control winding 7 is open at contacts 11 and 12 of track relay F Light-out relay H is de-energized because its circuit is open at contact 30 of distant relay K and light-out relay L is de-energized because its circuit is open at contact 26 of relay K At location 0, then, current flows from terminal X, through the front point of contact 17 of track relay F back contact 20 of relay H back contact 27 of relay L and the primary of transformer T to terminal Z. Signal S therefore indicates approach.

The circuit for the control winding 7 of distant relay K is from terminal X, through the back point of contact 28 of relay L back point of contact 9 of relay H wire 15, contact 12 of relay F wire 14, winding 7 of relay K wire 13, contact 11 of track relay F wire 10, back point of con tact 16 of relay H and back point of contact 29 of relay L to terminal Z. The current thus supplied to winding 7 of relay K is of reverse relative polarity, so that this relay is energized in its reverse direction. At point B, then,current flows from terminal X, through front point of contact 17 of relay F back contact 20 of relay I-I winding of relay L contact 26 of relay K and the primary of transformer T to terminal Z. Signal S therefore gives the approach restricting indication.

Inasmuch as light-out relay L is energized, terminal X is connected through the front point of contact 28 of this relay with wire 10, and terminal Z is connected with Wire 15 through the front point of contact 29. Distant relay K is therefore energized in the normal direct-ion, so that at point A current flows from terminal X, through the front point of contact 17 of relay F winding of relay H normal contact 30 of relay K and the primary of transformer T to terminal Z. It follows that signal S indicates proceed.

The distant relay for the block in the rear of point A will be energized in the normal direction, because at point A terminal X is connected with wire 10 through the back point of contact 28 of relay L and the front point of contact 9 of relay H whereas terminal Z is connected with wire 15 through the back point of contact 29 of relay L 31:1 the front point of contact 16 of relay Referring again to signal S, I will assume that one of the lamps G or R involved in the proceed indication circuit becomes burned out. Relay H will then become de-enorgized, whereupon current will flow from terminal X, through the front point of contact 17, back contact 20 of relay H winding of relay L contact 26 of relay K and the primary of transformer T to terminal Z. Signal S will therefore indicate approach restricting instead of proceed. Referring again to signal S I will assume that one of the lamps Y or G involved in the approach restricting indication circuit becomes burned out. Relay L will become de-encrgized, with the result that transformer T will be energized through contact 17 of relay F back contact 20 of relay H and back contact 27 of relay L so that signal S will indicate approach. If signal S should indicate approach instead of approach restricting, due to one of the approach restricting lamps being burned out, the distant relay K for the signal in the rear will become energized in the reverse direction, because both of the light-out relays H and H at point B are de-energized, and the result of this will be that signal S will indicate approach restricting instead of proceed.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention Having thus described my invention,what I claim is:

1. In combination, a railway track divided into blocks, a railway signal for each block having an upper and a lower group of electric lamps; the upper group in each signal comprising a green lamp, a first yellow lamp, a second yellow lamp and a red lamp; the lower group in each signal comprising a green lamp, a first red lamp and a second red lamp; a home relay for each block energized or de-energized according as the block is unoccupied or occupied, a distant relay for each block having normal and reverse contacts one or the other of which is closed according as the relay is supplied with current of normal or reverse relative polarity,

a light-out relay for each block, a stop indication circuit for each signal including the red lamp of the upper group and the first red lamp of the lower group as well as a back contact of the home relay for the associated block, an approach indication circuit for each signal including the second yellow lamp of the upper group and the first red lamp of the lower group'as well as a back contact of the associated light-out relay and a front contact of the associated home relay, an approach restricting indication circuit for each signal including the first yellow lamp of the upper group and the green lamp of the lower group as Well as a reverse contact of the associated distant relay and the winding of the associated light-out relay and a front contact of the associated home relay, signal including the green lamp of the upper group and the second red lamp of the lower group as well as a normal contact of the associated distant relay and the winding of the associated light-out relay and a front contact of the associated home relay, a circuit for each distant relay including a front contact of the home relay for the block next in advance and means controlled by each light-out relay for supplying current of normal or reverse relative polarity to the circuit for the distant relay oi the block next in the rear according as the light-out relay is energized or de-energized.

2. In combination, a railway track divided into blocks, a railway signal for each block capable of indicating stop, approach, approach restricting, and proceed, a home relay for each block energized or de-energized according as the block is unoccupied or occupied, a distant relay for each block having normal and reverse contacts one or the other of which is closed according as the relay is supplied with current of normal or reverse relative polarity, a light-out relay for each block, a stop indication circuit for each signal including a back contact of the home relay for the associated block, an approach indication circuit for each signal including a back contact of the associated light-out relay and a front contact of the associated home relay, an approach-restricting indication circuit for each signal including a reverse contact of the associated dist-ant relay and the winding of the associated light-out relay and a front contact of the associated home relay, a proceed indication circuit for each signal including a normal contact with the associated distant relay as well as the winding of the associated light-out relay and a front contact of the associated home relay, a circuit for each distant relay controlled by a front contact of the home relay for the block next in advance, and means controlled by each light-out relay for supplying current of normal or reverse relative a proceed indication circuit for each polarity to the circuit for the distant relay of the block next in the rear according as the light-out relay is energized or de-energized.

3. In combination, a railway signal capable of-indicating stop, approach, approach restricting, and proceed, a home relay, a distant relay having normal and reverse contacts, means for causing said signal to indicate stop when the home relay is de-energized, means for causing said signal to indicate approach when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is de-energized, means for causing said signal to indicate approach restricting when the home relay is energized and the distant relay is energized in the reverse direction, means for causing said signal to indicate proceed when the home relay is energized and the distant relay is energized in the normal direction, and means for causing said signal to indicate approach when said home relay'is energized and said. distant relay is energized in either direction it the signal does not then indicate approach restricting or proceed.

4. In combination, a railway signal capale ot indicating stop, approach, approach restricting, and proceed, a home relay, a distant relay capable of energization in normal and reverse directions, a stop indication circuit for said signal closed when said home relay is de-energized, an approach circuit for said signal closed when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is de-energized, an approach restricting indication circui for said signal closed when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the reverse direction, a proceed indication circuit for said signal closed when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in.t-he normal direction, and means for closing said approach indication circuit when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the normal or the reverse direction if the proceed or the approach restricting indication circuit, which should then be closed, is

open.

5. In combination, a railway signal capable of indicating stop, approach, approach restricting, and proceed, a home relay, av

dist-ant relay capable of energization in normal and reverse directions,a stop indication circuit for said signal closed when said home relay is deenergized, an approach circuit for said signal closed when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is de-energized, an approach restricting indication circuit for said signal closed when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the reverse direction, a proceed indication circuit for said signal closed when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the normal direction, and means operating when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the reverse direction to close the approach indication circuit if the approach restricting indication circuit is then open.

6. In combination, a railway signal having an upper and a lower group of electric lamps; the upper group comprising a green lamp, a first yellow lamp, a second yellow lamp, and a red lamp; the lower group comprising a green lamp, a first red lamp, and a second red lamp; a home relay, a distant relay capable of energization in normal and reverse directions, means for lighting the red lamp of the upper group and the first red lamp of the lower group when said home relay is de-energized, means for lighting the second yellow lamp of the upper group and the first red lamp of the lower group when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is deenergized, means for lighting the first yellow lamp of the upper group and the green lamp of the lower group when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the reverse direction, means for lighting the green lamp of the upper group and the second red lamp of the lower group when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the normal direction, means operating when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the normal direction to light the first yellow lamp of the upper group and the green lamp of the lower group if either the green lamp of the upper group or the second red lamp of the lower group is burned out and means operating when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the reverse direction to light the second yellow lamp of the upper group and the first red lamp of the lower group if either the first yellow lamp of the upper group or the green lamp of the lower group is burned out.

7. In combination, a railway signal having an upper and a lower group of electric lamps; the upper group comprising a green lamp, a first yellow lamp, a second yellow lamp, and a red lamp; the lower group comprising a green lamp, a first red lamp, and a second red lamp; a home relay, a distant relay capable of energization in normal and reverse directions, means for lighting the red lamp of the upper group and the first red lamp of the lower group when said home relay is de-energized, means for lighting the second yellow lamp of the upper group and the first red lamp of the lower group when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is de-energized, means for lighting the first yellow lamp of the upper group and the green lamp of the lower group when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the reverse direction, means for lighting the green lamp of the upper group and the second red lamp of the lower group when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the normal direction, and means operating when said home relay is energized and said distant relay is energized in the reverse direction to light the second yellow lamp of the upper group and the first red lamp of the lower group if either the first yellow lamp of the upper group or the green lamp of the lower group is burned out.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature.

OWARD A. THOMPSON. 

